When water spreads quickly across your floors and soaks everything in its path, it’s only natural to panic. But those first 10 minutes after a pipe bursts are more crucial than anything else. What you do immediately after will determine if the damage stays small or becomes an expensive repair project.
Below, this emergency plumbing company in Glenview, Illinois is going to explain what you should do in the first 10 minutes to limit water damage in your home.
The first thing you need to do is stop the flow of water. Check your main shut-off valve in your basement or utility room and turn it off. You should hear the rushing sound disappear almost instantly.
Turn on all the faucets in your home after the main water supply is off. This can sound counterproductive since you are trying to stop water and not release it. But running all faucets at the same time relieves pressure in the pipes. And when the pressure drops, it prevents more water from forcing its way out of the broken pipe.
If the burst pipe is near your water heater or washing machine, switch those off as well.
After the water is off, check the area. If the water is near outlets, power strips or cords on the floor, be very careful. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination and even a shallow puddle can put you at risk.
If you can reach the circuit breaker without stepping into water, switch off the power to that part of the house. But if you need to walk through water to get to the breaker, do not take the risk. It is better to leave the power alone and keep your distance until a professional can handle it safely.
If you are sure the area is safe, move anything you can physically remove from the wet area. We are talking rugs, small tables, baskets, toys or electronics on the floor. If you can, open a window to get some air inside the room. This will remove the musty smell and give the room a better chance to dry later.
Your goal is not to fully dry everything. You only need to get the situation under control until an emergency plumbing company in Glenview, Illinois can get there.
There will still be plenty of water on the floor even after you shut off the main water valve. You need to stop this water from spreading into rooms that are still dry.
If the water is shallow and safe to walk through, get some towels or a mop to contain the water. If you own a wet-dry vacuum, this is the best time to use it. As you do this, you can also move any items on the floor to a higher, dry surface like a chair or counter.
If the water has reached your furnace or AC, leave them turned off until a professional is there.
Once you have done what you can, it’s time to call an emergency plumbing company in Glenview, Illinois. The sooner a professional is on the way, the less risk there is of hidden moisture spreading and causing long-term problems like mold or warped floors.
When the plumber is in your home, they will inspect the damaged pipe and check for water damage behind walls or floors. Pipes rarely burst without a reason, so an experienced plumber will always check for signs of the cause.
After the inspection, they will explain what needs to be repaired or replaced. Once the repair is complete, many emergency plumbing companies use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the space properly.
Whenever you’re facing a plumbing emergency, John J. Cahill Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning will be there to help. As the top-rated 24/7 emergency plumbing company in Glenview, Illinois, our team can resolve your plumbing problem. Contact us anytime to get in touch with our team.